The rash of gunpoint muggings, carjackings and other violent crimes in Tremont this summer has left residents onguard in a way they haven’t felt in many years, probably since 2008. Councilman Joe Cimperman told us last week that Cleveland police are actively working to identify and arrest those involved in the incidents and those they feel are directing them.
In the meantime, residents and business owners have been in conversation with Cimperman and the cops over their concerns and, most recently, are trying to take steps to do something themselves.
Paul Duda, who runs the Paul Duda gallery on Professor Ave., launched a GoFundMe page this morning seeking donations to install security cameras around the neighborhood and to solicit business owners willing to have the cameras installed on their properties (6 have said yes already, according to Duda).
“We need to do something to stem the rise in crime in our neighborhood,” he told Scene. “Well placed security cameras have proven to be an effective deterrent and tool to identify perpetrators. As a Tremont home and business owner, the safety of our neighborhood is one of my primary concerns. I don’t want any of us to have to live in fear of taking a walk at night.”
The link to the page is here, if you’re interested. There have been previous efforts/talks to install cameras through various channels. Those haven’t panned out. When we find out a little bit more about why and how, we’ll let you know.
This article appears in Aug 26 – Sep 1, 2015.
The mayor, police chief and councilman may not have thought of this possible solution……the police department operates a series of decoys — not only in this neighborhood, but in other locations where citizens have become easy prey to the new era hoodlums.
$6,185 raised out of $30,000 in just 4 days so far, as of this post’s writing. I hope they reach their goal, if the cameras stop a crime or save a life then they are well worth the cost.